Scrubbing Body Stains and Dirt on Shabbos

Rabbi Doniel Yehudah Neustadt

 Courtesy of Ohr Olam Mishnah Berurah

Question: Is it permitted to scrub a stain or a smudge from one’s face or hands on Shabbos?

Discussion: Chayei Adam212 and some other poskim rule that on Shabbos one may not remove black soot from his hands, since doing so violates the melachah of mochek, Erasing. It appears that this opinion maintains that any dirt or stain which does not come off easily and requires pressure to remove, such as ink or paint, is considered as if the stain is “written” on the body, and removing it is “erasing” it. Mishnah Berurah, Aruch ha-Shulchan and most other poskim, however, do not quote this opinion as practical halachah and it seems that they do not consider body stain removal as Erasing. Contemporary poskim213 debate as to the practical application and the following is their consensus:

  • Any dirt, smudge or stain that washes off easily without exerting pressure or scrubbing is permitted to be removed according to all opinions.
  • Any dirt, smudge or stain that will not come off without scrubbing should l’chatchilah be removed before Shabbos. But b’diavad, it is permitted when necessary214 to remove blood stains, black smudges, pieces of glue, etc., even if pressure must be applied to remove them.
  • Letters or pictures that have been written or painted on any area of the body may not be scrubbed off on Shabbos.
  • Makeup and cosmetics that have been applied to the body, including nail polish, should lchatchillah not be removed on Shabbos. Still, if a situation were to rise that a woman must remove her makeup on Shabbos, some poskim permit her to do so, while others are more stringent.215

Whenever a stain or smudge is removed, care must be taken not to violate Squeezing, sechitah. Wet rags, towels, paper towels, baby wipes,216 cotton balls and all other absorbent materials may not be used to clean the body on Shabbos. It is, however, permitted to pour water [and/or liquid soap217] on the dirty area and then gently wipe it up with a dry rag or towel, taking care not to squeeze them after they have become absorbed with water.

212. 40:8, quoted by Minchas Shabbos 80:199.

213. See Da’as Torah 340:3; Kaf ha-Chayim 161:27; Ketzos ha-Shulchan 144, note 10; Minchas Shelomo 2:10; Shemiras Shabbos K’hilchasah 14, note 83; Ohel Sarah 4:4; Ashrei ha-Ish, vol. 2, pg. 409.

214. Certainly, when necessary towards a performance of a mitzvah (such as netilas yadayim or immersion in a mikveh) or in a kavod haberiyos situation, it is permitted.

215. A woman who is scheduled to use the mikveh on Friday night and forgot to remove her nail polish before Shabbos, should ask a non-Jew to remove it for her. If a non-Jew is not available, she may remove the polish with a shinui. Alternatively, she should immerse without removing the nail polish, but only if the nail polish is still perfect and not chipped in any way; Shemiras Shabbos K’hilchasah 14:66.

216. See more information in CHD Chapter 312.

217. See more information in CHD Chapter 326.